Jennifer Staggs, a thirdyear Doctor of Pharmacy student from Weatherford at Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s (SWOSU) College of Pharmacy, has been honored with a 2023 United States Public Health Service Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Award.
This prestigious award recognizes pharmacy students who have made significant contributions to public health by promoting wellness and healthy communities. Specifically, students are evaluated on their contributions toward voluntary health-related services, an emerging public health issue, or contributions that advance the goals of Healthy People 2030 or the National Prevention Strategy. “Jennifer is being nationally recognized for her ongoing efforts to educate the public about opioid drug safety and the appropriate use of interventions for an opioid drug overdose,” said Dr. Les Ramos, Dean of the College of Pharmacy. “In addition, Jennifer organized a highly successful community rug take-back event to facilitate the disposal of unused and expired medication. We congratulate Jennifer on receiving this well-deserved award and applaud her SWOSU spirit of service.”
An officer from the U.S. Public Health Service will present the award to Staggs on Friday, April 14 as part of the College of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony. This annual event marks the transition of pharmacy students from classroom learning to experiential education in patient care settings and is a significant milestone in the academic and professional journey of pharmacy students.
The Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Award is a highly regarded honor that recognizes the significant contributions of pharmacy students to public health. This award serves as a testament to the dedication of students like Staggs who work tirelessly to promote wellness and healthy communities. Her commitment to public health and patient care is an inspiration to us all.
